Issues settled include contracting out, temporary workers can become permanent after 24 months

After 86 days on the picket lines, workers at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the War Museum voted to accept a tentative settlement. On Tuesday, the negotiations between the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation officially ended the strike.

"We are thrilled at the gains we have made in the areas of job security and contracting-out," said Daniel Poulin, a guide at the Museum of Civilization and the President of PSAC Local 70396. "Our members stood strong in the rain and snow. They showed tremendous solidarity and gained support from the Ottawa/Gatineau community. I am so proud of everything we were able to accomplish together."

Details of the new four-year collective agreement include:

• A guarantee that no indeterminate employee will suffer involuntary termination as a result of contracting out.

• New job security provisions that commit the museums to use attrition to minimize job loss.

• Seven new permanent part-time positions with assigned hours in the front-line services, to be posted and filled internally, based on employees' seniority and current job titles.

• For temporary full-time employees, the possibility of becoming indeterminate after 24 months, should the functions they perform continue to be required.

• New clauses for maternity and parental leave which are now consistent with the Quebec Parental Insurance legislation.

"These workers stuck together, they supported each other and they made a difference in their workplace," said John Gordon, PSAC National President. "They are the heart and soul of the Museum of Civilization and War Museum. We are thrilled that they will be returning to work to continue providing valuable services to Canadians."